CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The bill raising the tax on a pack of cigarettes 45 cents is up for passage Tuesday in the House of Delegates, and the American Heart Association says it’s not enough.
The legislation keeps the proposed tax hike at 45 cents on a pack of cigarettes which was approved by the State Senate as proposed by the governor. The House also added an amendment which would exempt e-cigarettes, vaping fluid, or any associated products from the bill.
“We do not support the 45 cent increase on cigarettes and tobacco products,” said Government Relations Director Christine Compton. “We feel like it is too low. There’s a big difference between a tax increase and a price increase. The problem is that 45 cents on a tax, the consumer is not very likely to see that tax.”
Compton said she and the AHA would rather see the bill die in the House on Tuesday than to pass what in her mind was a half-baked solution.
“We would prefer the bill to die and have it brought back up when they’re going to be serious about doing it for the health reasons and serious about doing it at a significant level that’s going to impact public health long-term, and not just a quick budget fix,” she said.
She pointed out that the tobacco industry would quickly offset the tobacco tax by offering coupons and specials.
“I understand as a citizen that the state budget crisis is a main concern,” Compton said. “Our concern is that the tax should be increased because of the public health benefit, and that’s another we reason we don’t support a low tax: not only does it not do a lot to help state budget issues, it also doesn’t have the health impact it needs to have.”
Statistics show that a higher tax would deter tobacco usage, particularly among teens and pregnant women, Compton said.
The bill will be up for third reading in the House of Delegates Tuesday.